Light barrier

Abstract

A light barrier comprises a panel (1) having a window (10), a support (2) pivotably connected to the panel (1) about a first axis (V), a light emitter (3) arranged on the support (2) and whose light beam can pass through the window (10), and a first adjustment device (4; 40), wherein the relative angular orientation between the panel (1) and the bracket (2) can be adjusted by means of a first adjusting device (4; 40), a first through-hole (11) being provided in the panel (1), the first adjusting device (4; 40) can be accessed through the first through hole (11) for adjustment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to light barriers, and more particularly to built-in light barriers. Background Art

[0002] With conventional built-in light barriers, i.e. light barriers integrated into a housing, the orientation of the light beam is checked after their light emitters are installed. If it is off target, the emitter must be removed to adjust the beam exit angle. Therefore, skilled workers or multiple iterations are required to correctly install the light emitters. This applies to both transmitted beam light barriers and reflective light barriers. In any case, the correct orientation of such built-in light barriers is tedious. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a light barrier whose light beam can be easily adjusted on site when the light barrier is integrated in a substantially closed housing.

[0004] This object is achieved by a light barrier having the features of claim 1. Further embodiments of the light barrier and the light barrier installation are defined by the features of the further claims.

[0005] A light barrier according to the present invention comprises a panel having a window, a holder pivotally connected to the panel about a first axis, a light emitter arranged on the holder and whose light beam is capable of passing through the window, and a first adjusting device, through which the relative angular orientation between the panel and the holder can be adjusted, wherein a first through hole is provided in the panel, through which the first adjusting device is accessible for adjustment.

[0006] Such a design has the advantage that the orientation of the light beam of the light barrier can be adjusted on site, ie when it is mounted in a substantially closed housing which does not provide access to the light emitters from the side or back to adjust the orientation of their light beams.

[0007] The window is made of a material that is translucent to the light of the light beam.The first through hole is dimensioned so that a tool, such as a screwdriver or a socket wrench, can be inserted.

[0008] In one embodiment, the panel includes a first reception located on a side of the panel facing the bracket and aligned with the first through hole. The bracket includes a second reception aligned with the first reception in an undeflected state. The first end of the first adjustment device is arranged in the first reception, and wherein the second end of the first adjustment device is arranged in the second reception. The reception can be a separate piece, or the first reception can be integrally formed with the panel and / or the second reception can be integrally formed with the bracket. After actuating the first adjustment device, the bracket deflects and has an angular deviation from the initial undeflected state. The bracket can be deflected relative to the panel in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The actuation of the first adjustment device can be achieved by rotating at least a portion thereof or by pushing or pulling at least a portion thereof.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first adjusting device comprises a first screw and a corresponding first nut. The head of the first screw is arranged in the first receiving portion, and the first nut is arranged in the second receiving portion. The actuation of the adjusting device can be achieved by approaching the screw head with a corresponding tool. This design allows the screw to be used with any kind of screw driver. Preferably, a non-external driver is used because the size of the corresponding tool is small. For example, a screw driver of a slotted, cross-shaped, square, multi-square, hexagonal, pentalobular, hexalobular or a combination thereof can be used.

[0010] In one embodiment, the panel comprises at least one pin arranged in at least one complementary third through hole of the bracket, thereby forming a pivotable connection between the panel and the bracket. The at least one pin may be a separate piece, or it may be integrally formed with the panel. There may be two pins, the two pins being coaxial and having an axial distance less than the thickness of the bracket around the third through hole. The end face of at least one pin may be inclined, resulting in an increase in the height of the pin as the distance from the light emitter increases. The third through hole of the bracket and the at least one inclined pin of the panel together form a snap connection.

[0011] In one embodiment, the panel comprises a slot on a side of the panel facing the support, wherein at least one pin at least partially protrudes in the slot, and wherein the support is arranged in the slot, the slot having a portion comprising at least one third through hole. For two pins, they protrude from opposite sides in the slot.

[0012] In one embodiment, the bracket comprises a front portion connected to the panel and a rear portion on which the light emitter is arranged, and the rear portion is pivotally connected to the front portion about a second axis. The pivotable connection between the front portion and the rear portion acts like a hinge and may be a separate piece or may be integrally formed with the front portion and / or the rear portion. The bracket comprises a second adjustment device, by means of which the relative angular orientation between the front portion and the rear portion is adjustable. A second through hole is provided in the panel, through which the second adjustment device is accessible for adjustment.

[0013] In one embodiment, the front portion of the bracket includes a third receiving portion aligned with the second through hole of the panel in an undeflected state. The rear portion of the bracket includes a fourth receiving portion aligned with the third receiving portion in an undeflected state. The first end of the second adjustment device is arranged in the third receiving portion, and the second end of the second adjustment device is arranged in the fourth receiving portion. The third receiving portion and the fourth receiving portion can be separate pieces, or the third receiving portion can be integrally formed with the front portion and / or the fourth receiving portion can be integrally formed with the rear portion.

[0014] In one embodiment, the second adjustment device comprises a second screw and a corresponding second nut, wherein the head of the second screw is arranged in the third receiving portion, and wherein the second nut is arranged in the fourth receiving portion. The second screw may be identical to the first screw, or they may have the same diameter but different lengths. The second nut may be identical to the first nut.

[0015] In one embodiment, the front and rear parts of the support are integrally formed and their connection comprises a material thinning forming a hinge. Alternatively or additionally, the hinge comprises a perforation.

[0016] In one embodiment, the window is integrally formed with the rest of the face of the panel. Alternatively, the window may be a separate piece that is inserted.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first through hole is arranged in a first opaque portion of the panel located on the side of the window. Additionally or alternatively, the second through hole is arranged in a second opaque portion of the panel located on the side of the window, the second opaque portion being located on the side opposite to the first opaque portion. The opaque portion may be made by sandblasting or by other surface roughening processes.

[0018] In one embodiment, the panel comprises at least one retainer arranged on a lateral side of the panel (i.e., any of its sides). The retainer is designed so that when the light barrier is mounted, the retainer forms a snap connection with its mounting location (e.g., a housing, such as a substantially closed profile).

[0019] In one embodiment, at least one first retainer is arranged on a first lateral side of the panel, and at least one second retainer is arranged on a second lateral side of the panel opposite to the first lateral side. In the installed state, the retainers can be arranged up and down or left and right.

[0020] The window or the window together with the panel may be made of a transparent thermoplastic polymer such as polycarbonate, and the bracket may be made of a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene. The panel and / or the bracket may be produced by injection molding.

[0021] The features of the above-described embodiments of the light barrier may be used in any combination unless they contradict each other.

[0022] A light barrier installation includes a light barrier according to one of the aforementioned embodiments and a light receiver or light reflector arranged in an area that can be irradiated by a light beam of a light transmitter. That is, when the light receiver or reflector is turned on, the light beam irradiates the light receiver or reflector.

[0023] In one embodiment, the light barrier is arranged in a housing such that a face of a panel of the light barrier is substantially flush with a surface of the housing in which the light barrier is arranged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting.

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a light barrier according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 is with right angle beam orientation Figure 1 A top view of the light barrier;

[0027] Figure 3 is a horizontally deflected beam Figure 1 A top view of the light barrier;

[0028] Figure 4 It passes through Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of a vertical center plane of the light barrier; and

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 On-site stereogram of the light barrier. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a light barrier according to the invention, and Figure 2 shows a right angle beam orientation Figure 11 is a top view of a light barrier. The light barrier comprises a panel 1 having a window 10 which is transparent for the light beam of the mounted light emitter 3. The window 10 is flanked by a first opaque portion comprising a first through hole 11 and a second opaque portion comprising a second through hole 12. Two first retainers 14 are arranged on the top lateral side of the panel 1 and two second retainers 15 are arranged on the bottom lateral side thereof. The bracket 2 is pivotably connected to the panel 1 about a first axis V. The depicted first axis is a vertical axis V, allowing the bracket 2 to pivot in a horizontal plane relative to the panel 1. The bracket 2 comprises a front portion 20 connected to the panel 1 and a rear portion 21 on which the light emitter 3 is arranged by a hook-shaped retainer 210 and a fixing pin 211. The front portion 20 and the rear portion 21 are plate-shaped. The rear portion 21 is pivotably connected to the front portion 20 about a second axis H. The depicted second axis is a horizontal axis H, allowing the rear portion 21 to pivot in a vertical plane relative to the front portion 20. The panel 1 includes a first receiving portion 13 aligned with the first through hole 11, and the head of the first adjusting screw 4 is arranged in the first receiving portion 13. The first receiving portion 13 is open at its top and includes a slot on its side opposite to the panel 1, thereby allowing the top of the head of the first adjusting screw 4 to be inserted. The first receiving portion 13 extends from the panel 1 toward the bracket 2. The screw driver of the first adjusting screw 4 can be accessed by a tool through the first through hole 11. The front portion 20 of the bracket 2 includes a second receiving portion 23, which is aligned with the first receiving portion 13 in the depicted undeflected state, and the first adjusting nut 40 is arranged in the second receiving portion 23. The front portion 20 includes a third receiving portion 24, which is aligned with the second through hole 12 in the depicted undeflected state, and the head of the second adjusting screw 5 is arranged in the third receiving portion 24. The second receiving portion 23 and the third receiving portion 24 extend upward from the plate of the front portion 20. The second receiving portion 23 is open at its top and includes a slot on its side facing the panel 1, thereby allowing the top of the first adjusting nut 40 to be inserted. The third receiving portion 24 is open at its top and includes a slot on its side opposite to the panel 1, thereby allowing the top of the head of the second adjusting screw 5 to be inserted. The screw driver of the second adjusting screw 5 can be accessed by a tool through the second through hole 12. The rear portion 21 of the bracket 2 includes a fourth receiving portion 25, which is aligned with the third receiving portion 24 in the depicted undeflected state, and the second adjusting nut 50 is arranged in the fourth receiving portion 25. The fourth receiving portion 25 extends upward from the plate of the rear portion 21. The fourth receiving portion 25 is open at its top and includes a slot on its side facing the panel 1, thereby allowing the top of the second adjusting nut 50 to be inserted.

[0031] Figure 3 shows a horizontally deflected beam Figure 1. To achieve such a deflection, the driver of the first adjusting screw 4 is approached by a tool through the first through hole 11 and rotated counterclockwise. Since the head of the first adjusting screw 4 is held in the first receiving portion 13 of the panel 1, the first adjusting nut 40 is held in the second receiving portion 23 on the front portion 20 of the bracket 2, and the bracket 2 is pivotably connected to the panel 1 about the first axis V, the bracket 2 is pivoted clockwise about the vertical axis V. Therefore, the clockwise rotation of the first adjusting screw 4 causes the bracket 2 to pivot counterclockwise about the vertical axis V.

[0032] Figure 4 Shown through Figure 1 sectional view of a vertical center plane of the light barrier. The first retaining member 14 is the component of the panel 1 which protrudes the farthest upward and the second retaining member 15 is the component which protrudes the farthest downward. In the lower part of the panel 1, i.e. in the part which is not illuminated by the light beam of the light emitter 3, a horizontal groove 16 is formed, into which the front part 20 of the bracket 2 is inserted. An inclined first pin 17 protrudes from the top in the groove 16, and an inclined second pin 18 protrudes coaxially from the bottom. The pin is arranged in a third through hole 26 in the front part 20 of the bracket. The center axis of the pin and the third through hole are identical to the vertical axis V. The bracket 2 has a plate-like front part 20 and a plate-like rear part 21 which are connected to each other by a hinge 22, and the hinge 22 is formed by material thinning. The minimum thickness line of the material thinning is identical to the horizontal axis H. Since the head of the second adjustment screw 5 is held in the third receiving portion 24 of the front portion 20 of the bracket 2, the second adjustment nut 50 is held in the fourth receiving portion 25 on the rear portion 21 of the bracket 2, and the rear portion 21 is pivotably connected to the front portion about the second axis H, the rear portion 21 is pivoted downward about the horizontal axis H by the counterclockwise rotation of the second adjustment screw 5. Therefore, the clockwise rotation of the second adjustment screw 5 causes the rear portion 21 to pivot upward about the horizontal axis H.

[0033] Figure 5 Shows Figure 1 A perspective view of a light barrier in situ (ie built into a housing 6). The housing depicted is a profile 6 having a surface 60 on which the light barrier is arranged. The surface 60 of the profile 6 is flush with the surface of the panel 1. Such a profile may be part of a conveyor system, for example.

[0034] Reference numerals list

[0035] 1 Panel 23 Second receiving portion

[0036] 10 Window 24 third receiving portion

[0037] 11 first through hole 25 fourth receiving portion

[0038] 12 second through hole 26 third through hole

[0039] 13 First receiving unit 3 optical transmitter

[0040] 14 first retaining member 4 first adjusting screw

[0041] 15 second retaining member 40 first adjusting nut

[0042] 16 slots 5 second adjusting screw

[0043] 17 First Pin

[0044] 18 second pin 50 second adjusting nut

[0045] 2 Bracket 6 Profile

[0046] 20 front 60 surface

[0047] 21 Rear

[0048] 210 holding part H horizontal axis

[0049] 211 Pin V vertical axis

[0050] 22 Hinge

Claims

1. A light barrier, comprising a panel (1) having a window (10), a support (2) pivotably connected to the panel (1) about a first axis (V), a light emitter (3) arranged on the support (2) and whose light beam can pass through the window (10), and a first adjustment device (4; 40), wherein the relative angular orientation between the panel (1) and the support (2) can be adjusted by means of the first adjustment device (4; 40), It is characterized in that A first through hole (11) is provided in the panel (1), and the first adjustment device (4; 40) is accessible through the first through hole (11) for adjustment.

2. The light barrier according to claim 1, wherein: The panel (1) comprises a first receiving portion (13) located on a side of the panel (1) facing the bracket (2) and aligned with the first through hole (11), wherein the bracket (2) comprises a second receiving portion (23) aligned with the first receiving portion (13) in an undeflected state, wherein the first end of the first adjusting device (4; 40) is arranged in the first receiving portion (13), and wherein the second end of the first adjusting device (4; 40) is arranged in the second receiving portion (23).

3. The light barrier according to claim 2, wherein: The first adjustment device comprises a first screw (4) and a corresponding first nut (40), wherein the head of the first screw (4) is arranged in the first receiving portion (13), and wherein the first nut (40) is arranged in the second receiving portion (23).

4. The light barrier according to claim 1, wherein: The panel (1) comprises at least one pin (17; 18) arranged in at least one complementary third through hole (26) of the bracket (2), thereby forming a pivotable connection between the panel (1) and the bracket (2).

5. The light barrier according to claim 4, wherein: The panel (1) comprises a groove (16) on a side of the panel (1) facing the bracket (2), wherein the at least one pin (17; 18) at least partially protrudes in the groove (16), and wherein the bracket (2) is arranged in the groove (16), and the groove (16) has a portion including the at least one third through hole (26).

6. The light barrier according to claim 1, wherein: The bracket (2) comprises a front portion (20) connected to the panel (1) and a rear portion (21) on which the light emitter (3) is arranged, and the rear portion (21) can be pivotally connected to the front portion (20) around a second axis (H), wherein the bracket (2) comprises a second adjustment device (5; 50), the relative angular orientation between the front portion (20) and the rear portion (21) can be adjusted by means of the second adjustment device (5; 50), and wherein a second through hole (12) is provided in the panel (1), and the second adjustment device (5; 50) can be approached through the second through hole (12) for adjustment.

7. The light barrier according to claim 6, wherein: The front portion (20) of the bracket (2) includes a third receiving portion (24) aligned with the second through hole (12) of the panel (1) in an undeflected state, wherein the rear portion (21) of the bracket (2) includes a fourth receiving portion (25) aligned with the third receiving portion (24) in an undeflected state, wherein the first end of the second adjusting device (5; 50) is arranged in the third receiving portion (24), and wherein the second end of the second adjusting device (5; 50) is arranged in the fourth receiving portion (25).

8. The light barrier according to claim 7, wherein: The second adjustment device comprises a second screw (5) and a corresponding second nut (50), wherein the head of the second screw (5) is arranged in the third receiving portion (24), and wherein the second nut (50) is arranged in the fourth receiving portion (25).

9. The light barrier according to claim 6, wherein: The front part (20) and the rear part (21) of the support (2) are integrally formed, and their connection includes a material thinning forming a hinge (22).

10. The light barrier according to claim 1, wherein: The window (10) is formed integrally with the rest of the face of the panel (1), or the window (10) is a separate piece inserted into the panel (1).

11. The light barrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein The first through hole (11) is arranged in a first opaque portion of the panel (1) located on the side of the window (10), and / or wherein: The second through hole (12) is arranged in a second opaque portion of the panel (1) located on the side of the window (10), and the second opaque portion is located on the side opposite to the first opaque portion.

12. The light barrier according to claim 1, wherein: The panel (1) comprises at least one retaining member (14; 15) arranged on a lateral side of the panel (1).

13. The light barrier according to claim 12, wherein: At least one first retaining member (14) is arranged on a first lateral side of the panel (1), and wherein at least one second retaining member (15) is arranged on a second lateral side of the panel (1) opposite to the first lateral side.

14. A light barrier device comprising a light barrier according to one of the preceding claims and a light receiver or a light reflector arranged in an area that can be illuminated by the light beam of the light emitter (3).

15. The light barrier device according to claim 14, wherein: The light barrier is arranged in a housing (6) such that a face of the panel (1) of the light barrier is substantially flush with a surface (60) of the housing (6) in which the light barrier is arranged.

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